Inclined panel for industrial bins and inclined rack systems

ABSTRACT

An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins that allows the bins to hang at an angle such that the interior of the bin is more easily accessible by production personnel is presented. The inclined panel has an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the panel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°. A rack system using such a panel is also presented. The rack system may also include one or more end caps at the ends of the panels. The rack system may incorporate a wheeled base or the panels may be mounted on a fixed wall.

BACKGROUND

Rack systems for industrial bins are often used in industrial assemblyfacilities. Typically, the bins include hooks or cleats on the verticalrear surface of the bin and the cleats are connected with louvers on ametal plate. The louvers in the rack systems are vertical and bins aremounted to the rack such that they are horizontal and the contents ofthe bins are accessible from the front or top. There is a very largeinstalled base of bins and rack systems where the rack systems include aplanar louvered panel with bins mounted in a level orientation.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an inclinedpanel for mounting industrial bins, is presented that incorporates apanel having an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of louversformed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of thepanel; and a mounting surface. The panel may optionally incorporate asecond mounting surface. Typically, the inclined panel relies upon theseparation plate to space the panel away from vertical by an angle of10°-25° and preferably by an angle of about 10°-15°.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a rack system forindustrial bins is presented incorporating an upstanding supportstructure; at least one louvered panel at an angle of 10°-25° fromvertical; and a plurality of louvers formed on the louvered panel. Thepanel may optionally incorporate a second mounting surface. Typically,the inclined panel relies upon the separation plate to space the panelaway from vertical by an angle of 10°-25° and preferably by an angle ofabout 10°-15°. The invention may also include an end cap at least oneend of each panel and typically at either end of each panel. The racksystem may incorporate a wheeled base the panels may be mounted on afixed wall.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a rack system forindustrial bins incorporating a movable base unit; an upstanding supportstructure mounted to the base unit; a plurality of louvered panelsmounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25° from vertical; aplurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; and at least oneindustrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers is presented.Typically, the rack system includes a separation plate adjoining theupper edge of the louvered panel which spaces the panel away from avertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and the many embodimentsthereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understoodby reference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side plan view of the inclined louvered panel ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side plan view, in detail, of the louver formed inthe panel of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the inclined panel and rack system ofone embodiment of the present invention with industrial bins mountedthereon;

FIG. 3 illustrates a isometric view of the inclined panel and rollingrack system of one embodiment of the present invention with industrialbins mounted thereon;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a louvered inclinedpanel of the present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric view of a louvered inclined panel ofthe present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 5B illustrates a rear isometric view of a louvered inclined panelof the present invention with an endcap;

FIG. 6A illustrates an isometric view of an endcap panel supportsuitable for use with the present invention; and

FIG. 6B illustrates an side plan view of an endcap panel supportsuitable for use with the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with occasional reference tothe specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however,be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are providedso that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused in the description of the invention and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth as used in the specification and claims are to beunderstood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties setforth in the specification and claims are approximations that may varydepending on the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodimentsof the present invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges andparameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention areapproximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examplesare reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however,inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from error foundin their respective measurements.

FIG. 1A shows an inclined louvered rack system 10 for mountingindustrial bins in accordance with the present invention. The racksystem 10 includes louvered surface 12 top mounting surface 20 andbottom mounting surface 18. A separation plate 22 spaces the louveredsurface 12 from a generally upright support structure. The louveredsurface 12 includes a number of louvers 14. The louvered surface 12 isangled from vertical by an angle α. The α is generally about 10°-25°while an angle of 10°-15° is preferable. The inclined louvered racksystem 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is generally mounted to a set of uprightsor a vertical support panel. A inclined louvered rack system may have anumber inclined panels separated by the distance of top and bottommounting surfaces 18, 20 or top and bottom mounting surfaces 18, 20 maybe overlapped for a denser fit of the bins positioned on the panelassembly.

An individual louver 14 is shown in FIG. 1B in which louver extensionsare cut from the sheet steel of panel 12 and are generally spacedapproximately 5 cm apart. A generally inverted U-shape cut 5 cm wide and6 cm high is made in the sheet steel for each louver 14 and the tab ofthe panel is deflected 1-3 mm from the plane of the panel 12 to form theupwardly extending louver 14 and bend 16 leaving a orifice 14 a in panel12. The louver 14 may be linked to a downwardly facing lip on theindustrial bin.

A rack system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, in whichuprights 40 are shown with louvered panels 10 mounted on either side ofuprights 40 by top and bottom mounting surfaces 20, 18. The louveredsurface 12 and louvers 14 provide support for industrial bins 42, 44 andother devices may be hung from the louvers 14. The louvered surface 12is typically screwed or bolted to uprights 40. Typically, two or threeupright supports 40 may be used. In the event that three uprightsupports 40 (one at each edge of the panel and one at the center of thepanel) are used, it may not be necessary to use support members 60 ateach upright. As shown, a number of bins 42, 44 may be mounted on thepanel depending on the size of the bins and desired density. The binsinclude a cleat 46, 48 on the back surface 50 of each bin. The cleat 46,48 fits over louvers 14 so that the rear of the bin 50 contacts louvers14 and hangs generally perpendicular to the louvered surface 12. Thepanel 10 may also be mounted to a wall or other upright surface. Thebins may be formed of any suitable material, such as: polypropylene,polyethylene, polycarbonate, SMMA (styrene methyl methacrylate, acrylicblend), or HIPS high impact polystyrene or other such materials commonlyused in the manufacturing of polymeric parts and/or parts made by commonforming techniques.

FIG. 3 shows a rack assembly in accordance with the present invention.The uprights 40 are mounted on platform 64, which may include wheels 66or braces 62. A number of louvered panels 10 are mounted to the uprights40. As shown a wide variety of bins 42, 44 may be mounted to thelouvered panels 10. Various bins 42, 44 may include lids, any number ofdifferent widths, depths and heights, as well as any other equipmentthat could be mounted on a vertical rack system.

FIG. 4 shows the end of louvered panel 10 and endcap 60. The endcap 60may be mounted to the panel by plastic pins, pop-in fasteners, screws orrivets. The end cap 60 is generally triangular and includes one or moreorifices 64 which is bolted or riveted to separation plate 22, louveredsurface 12 and potentially mounting surface 18 to form a structuralportion of the rack assembly by inhibiting the flexing of the pane whenheavy items are placed in the bins mounted to the louvers 14 on thepanel 10. Panel 10 includes top and bottom mounting surfaces 20, 18 eachincluding orifices 18′, 20′ by which panel 10 is typically screwed orbolted to a vertical surface or uprights. The louvered surface 12 andlouvers 14 provide support for industrial bins and other devices. Alsoshown are mounting holes 12′ for end caps on the distal ends and for acentral support member (not shown) mounted in the central section of thepanel.

FIG. 5A shows the front of a louvered panel 10 in accordance with thepresent invention. As can be seen a 12×5 grid of louvers 14 may be used,although any suitable configuration is possible. Also included areorifices 20′ in mounting panel 20 and orifices 18′ in mounting panel 18for mounting panel 10 to a vertical surface or uprights. Also shown aremounting holes 12′ for end caps 60 on the distal ends of mounting panel10 and for a central support member 60 mounted in the central section ofpanel 10. Typically, a single central support 60 is used in longerpanels or high load applications. Any number of central supports 60 maybe used depending on load and length of panel 10.

FIG. 5B shows the rear of a louvered panel 10 in accordance with thepresent invention. A grid of louvers 14 on louvered surface 12 isprovided. Also included are orifices 20′ on mounting panel 20 andorifices 18′ in mounting panel 18 for attaching panel 10 to a verticalsurface or uprights. Also shown are end caps 60 on the distal ends ofmounting panel 10 and central support member 60 mounted in the centralsection of panel 10. Typically, a single central support 60 is used inlonger panels or high load applications. Any number of central supports60 may be used depending on load and length of panel 10.

FIG. 6A shows an endcap 60 also referred to as a central support member60 suitable for use with the present invention. The central supportmember 60 is generally triangular with sides 72, 74 and hypotenuse 76such that first side 74 contacts louvered panel 12, second side 72contacts separation plate 22 and the hypotenuse contacts the uprightsupport or surface upon which the panel is hung. The apex of the centralsupport member points downward. The first side 74 of central supportmember 60 includes first and second depressions 80 in the face withmounting holes 82 that mate with screws or rivets 62 to the louveredpanel 12. The second side 72 of the central support member 60 generallyincludes a first depression 80 with a mounting hole 82 that mates with ascrew or rivet 62 to separation plate 22. The interior of the centralsupport member includes a number of reinforcing walls 78 to providerigidity and structural integrity. The central support member may alsoinclude a surface 70 spanning the sides 72, 74, 76 and reinforcing walls78 to provide additional stiffness. The central support member 60 istypically plastic and may be injection molded or formed by any othersuitable method. The central support member may also be formed of steel.

FIG. 6B is a plan view of a central support member suitable for use withthe present invention showing first side 74 of central support member 60and first and second depressions 80 in the face with mounting holes 82that mate with screws or rivets 62 to the louvered panel 12.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the specificexamples described herein, but rather should be understood to cover allaspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes,as well as numerous structures and devices to which the presentinvention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skillin the art. Those skilled in the art will understand that variouschanges may be made without departing from the scope of the invention,which is not to be considered limited to what is described in thespecification.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inclined panel for mounting industrial bins,comprising: a panel having an upper edge and a lower edge; a pluralityof louvers formed on the panel; a separation plate adjoining the upperedge of the panel; and a mounting surface.
 2. The inclined panel ofclaim 1, further comprising; a second mounting surface.
 3. The inclinedpanel of claim 2, wherein the first mounting surface is connected to theseparation plate and the second mounting surface is connected to thelower edge of the panel.
 4. The inclined panel of claim 3, wherein theseparation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by anangle of 10°-25°.
 5. The inclined panel of claim 1, wherein theseparation plate spaces the panel away from a vertical support by anangle of 10°-15°.
 6. A rack system for industrial bins, comprising: anupstanding support structure; at least one louvered panel at an angle of10°-25° from vertical; and a plurality of louvers formed on the louveredpanel.
 7. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, furthercomprising: a separation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louveredpanel.
 8. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, furthercomprising: a mounting surface connected to the panel and fixing thelouvered panel to the support structure.
 9. The rack system forindustrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation plate spaces thepanel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.
 10. The racksystem for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation platespaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 13°-15°.11. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, further comprisingan end cap at at least one end of each panel.
 12. The rack system forindustrial bins of claim 6, further comprising end caps at either end ofeach panel.
 13. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, furthercomprising a wheeled base upon which the upstanding support structure ismounted.
 14. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein theupstanding support structure is a fixed wall.
 15. The rack system forindustrial bins of claim 6, further comprising at least one centralsupport member mounted between the louvered panel and the upstandingsupport structure.
 16. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 15,wherein the central support member is generally triangular.
 17. A racksystem for industrial bins, comprising: a movable base unit; anupstanding support structure mounted to the base unit; a plurality oflouvered panels mounted on the support structure and angled at 10°-25°from vertical; a plurality of louvers formed on each louvered panel; andat least one industrial bin mounted on one or more of the louvers. 18.The rack system for industrial bins of claim 17, further comprising: aseparation plate adjoining the upper edge of the louvered panel.
 19. Therack system for industrial bins of claim 6, wherein the separation platespaces the panel away from a vertical support by an angle of 10°-15°.20. The rack system for industrial bins of claim 17, further comprisingan end cap at at least one end of each panel.